5 Tech-Savvy Ways To Save On Retail

No matter what you’re shopping for, you always want a deal. The good news: Your most powerful money-saving tool is probably within arm’s reach. That’s because mobile app and web discounts can be bigger than those found in stores. “Coupon apps and websites used to be pretty basic, but now we’re seeing all kinds of new innovative additions such as cash-back programs and rebates,” says David Bakke, a shopping expert from MoneyCrashers.

Use one of his picks to save big on your next purchase.

Coupon Sherpa

Ordering items online is convenient, but sometimes you need to see an item IRL before you buy. That’s the logic behind Coupon Sherpa, an app that digitizes brick-and-mortar store coupons and uses GPS to alert you to deals nearby while you’re out shopping. In addition to real-time deal alerts, Coupon Sherpa’s site aggregates online coupon codes. Just plug in the name of the store where you’re shopping to see available sales and coupon codes.

Coupons.com

When it comes to bargain hunting, Coupons.com packs a lot of features into its site, companion app and blog “The Good Stuff.” Not only does the site aggregate discount codes and in-store offers—conveniently searchable by brand—it also offers free printable grocery coupons that can potentially be stacked with in-store offers for extra savings. You can also link your grocery store loyalty card to your Coupons.com profile.

RetailMeNot

You may already know RetailMeNot for its abundance of promotional codes, but the savings destination website and app has a few new offerings coming this fall. First, shoppers will be able to email Deal Squad agents, a dedicated team of employees that hunts down the best online price for a given item and email you the results. Second, RetailMeNot has launched a marketplace for buying discounted gift cards that are stackable with other offers, and it has expanded its food and dining content on the app.

Flipp

Flipp aggregates hundreds of weekly circulars from popular retailers, which can be saved to store loyalty cards. How does it work? Once you find a coupon, click the “Clip” button to load it onto your store loyalty card. Flipp also lets you create a shopping list. Bakke claims the app makes shopping easier by keeping codes and manufacturers’ coupons all in one place.

Want to pay less for insurance? (Of course you do.) Check out GEICO’s discount page to see how much you could save.